SOU 062920 Wrong is Wrong

 

Thanksgiving 2020

No Cowards

 

I know that to say someone courageous is also brave is a bit redundant, but I wanted to point out the quality of bravery. The idea of being brave has fallen into some misunderstanding over the past few years. Society has tried to soften it and make it something gentile and passive. The courageous person (in this wrong thinking) walks away from conflict and is willing to stand by while evil pushes forward. That is not bravery, nor is that using wisdom. The proper name for this behavior is cowardice.

Socrates said, “He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy.” Our society wants brave men and women who will stand up and call out what is wrong. Those who will not allow the dictators of political correctness and social reforming to have their way will stand up for truth, godliness, and honor. Scouts are the brave few who will stand for what is right against current trends and social reforms. It isn't easy to be the only one who stands for truth, but the Scout must do so.  Sir Robert Baden-Powell said, “We never fail when we try to do our duty; we always fail when we neglect to do it.”

“Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you are scared.”

Eddie Rickenbacker

1890-1973

WW1 Flying Ace

 

Just as our brave men and women who are on the battlefield fields in the military, we too are fighting a war. It is a war of culture and social weakness. We fight against those who take away our rights daily in the name of political correctness and socialism. They fight against success and personal achievement to keep control of us and not allow anyone to be all we can be. It takes brave Scouts to stand up and push back against the bullies of our society. We have a destiny, and we will fulfill it!

Scouts know that this is a spiritual battle as well as a cultural one. Scouts must stand for what we know. God has called us to do. We stand for righteousness, holiness, and truth. Our example is Jesus Christ Himself, who bravely gave His life so that others may know God.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 062220 A Good Choice

 

You First

 

Most of the time, we think of selfishness in terms of giving and possessions. We do not think of courage and bravery as an alternative to selfishness – but they are. The counterbalance of being selfish is to be selfless. It takes courage to be selfless. That is why so few care to do it. Selflessness means sacrifice and putting others before yourself. It means you are willing to face an inconvenience to help someone else succeed. Scouts and Scouters understand what Tony Robbins meant when he said, “Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy. True fulfillment.”

Some teach that to be successful; you must look out for number one. It would be best if you did all you can to be sure you come in first in the race of life, and no one should be able to get past you. Scouts know that the real winners in life are those who have helped others to win first. Scouts see the truth in the statement by English writer Richard Whately who said, “A man is called selfish not for pursuing his good, but for neglecting his neighbor’s.” The pursuit of your dream is essential, and you must and should give all to its achievement; however, giving all is never at the expense of others' good. Scouts and Scouters can do both.

“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.”

Napoleon Hill

1883-1970

Author

 

It takes real courage to be selfless. Throughout history and even in the current news, you will always find brave deeds are done from a spirit of selflessness. Those who give their life for others, those who risk all to make life better for others, those who teach and care for others to help them improve their lives, not to stay where they are. These are all acts of the most extraordinary bravery.

The achievement of your dreams will make the world better. You may be building a business that will employ others and produce a product that makes life better. You may be an educator who teaches valid values and character to others to make them better citizens of the world. There is never anything that the Scout does that does not help and change others' lives. Our focus is always on helping others, but that does not mean we put our dreams aside. The better you are, the better we all are. That takes courage!

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 061720 Paperclips and Airplains

Your Duty

 

The pursuit of success and achievement has many paths to follow. Some are filled with adventure and some with hard work. Each track, however, leads you to the fulfillment of your dream. There is one that stands out above the rest. It holds the difference between real Scout and someone who is just going through the motions. That is the path of duty.

Scouts and Scouters understand that duty is more than “things you have to do.” Your duty is a sacred honor that is done with joy. As Commander of West Point Academy, Robert E. Lee said, “duty is the sublimest word in the language. You can never do more than your duty. You should never wish to do less.” 

“Personal courage isn’t the absence of fear; rather,

it’s the ability to put fear aside and do what’s necessary.”

U.S. Army Leadership Field Manual

 

Scouts and Scouters see their duty in many areas. They have a duty to God, be faithful, worship Him, and serve Him with all their hearts. A duty to their family, to be a person of integrity and faithfulness who can be trusted. It is a duty to those they work for and with, do an excellent job at whatever they do, and always go farther than what is expected of them. A duty to society to be an example of honesty, godliness, and right living. Scouts know that they have more at stake than just achieving their dreams – they will change the world.

The fulfillment of our duty is not always a grand and glorious display. Most of the time, few if any people will ever notice. Helen Keller said, “I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Duty is a matter of the heart; it is our attitude that will make a difference. If we believe that doing our duty is “great and noble” as Helen Keller said, we will find great satisfaction in doing it.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that to do your duty to others is a burden you must bear for success' sake. It is a wonderful part of life all on its own. Blaise Pascal said, “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust God’s providence to lead him aright.” It will be in the course of doing your duty to others that you will find your greatest fulfillment, for in doing this duty, we will achieve our most tremendous success.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 061520 Think A Better Day

 

Beyond Talent

 

Scouts and Scouters learn to have a belief in themselves to succeed. People are often limited because they think they need talent to succeed. Talent is nice, and you can use your abilities (everyone has them) in your particular area of achievement, but that is not all it takes. You have to be a person of action, and action does not take talent.

Dr. John C. Maxwell, in his 2007 book, Talent Is Not Enough, said, “The first and greatest obstacle to success for most people is their belief in themselves. Once people figure out where their sweet spot is (the area where they are most gifted), what often hinders them isn’t a lack of talent. It’s a lack of trust in themselves, which is a self-imposed limitation.” When you see yourself as limited, you stop trying. You stop taking action, and without action, nothing will get done.

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

Dale Carnegie

1888-1955

Author

 

We have been looking at the Scout Law. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent; none of these qualities take talent. These are things every Scout and Scouter choose to be. The same is correct with action. You do not need talent to be a person of action; you only need to get things done.

Scouts are determined to live their dreams. Sadly, they often know what they want but find a dozen reasons why they cannot have it. They see limitations all around them. There is not enough money, education, experience, knowledge, support, too old, too young, too sick, too weak, and the reasons go on and on. The only thing you need is the desire for your dream and the guts to go for it.

Scouts must understand that to live their dream is a privilege that most people miss. You have the chance to be all you were created to be, to have all you ever wanted, and to live life and not just fill a space. John Irving said, “If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.”

No one is going to do this for you. You have to have to courage to move forward and do what must be done to achieve your dream. You know what it is, you know what you must do, you understand the cost. Now go for it.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 061020 You Can Fix It

Risky Business

 

For many people, the biggest obstacle they face to pursuing their dreams is found in two little words – “What If!” The “What If’s” of life has defeated far too many people before they even get started. “What if I fail?” “What if something happens?” “What if no one likes what I am doing?” You can “What if” yourself into failure every time. 

It takes courage to go after your dream—the courage to face the unknown. Courage to take risks. Courage to be willing to fail on your way to success. As Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true if we dare to pursue them.” 

“No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his well-being,

to risk his body, to risk his life, in a great cause.”

Theodore Roosevelt

1858-1919

26^th U.S. President

 

Scouts learn that you can plan for the future, but you cannot see it. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. This is why you need to be prepared for tomorrow. Being prepared is to be ready so that nothing will catch you by surprise. If you are looking to have some assurance of success or outcome, you will never move forward. Earl Nightingale had it right when he said, “All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.”

As a Scouter, you realize that there is a risk in all you do. God, in His wisdom, has not given you the ability to see all the pitfalls and roadblocks ahead. Many of us want to see them, but the truth is, if we knew what was coming, we would never try to achieve our dreams. To believe in your vision, you must have a faith that God will see you through, and a determination that you will never give up is what gives you the power to achieve. Too much knowledge of the future is a dangerous thing. That is why we are told in Scripture not to look into the future. Taking the unknown risk is the element of life.

Study the lives of those who have succeeded, and you will find men and women who were courageous enough to take risks. Singer/Songwriter Dolly Parton said, “You’ll never be a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.” The Scouters of the world know as did Helen Keller that life is “a daring adventure,” and they will not miss a moment of it.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 060820 A Good Reciever

The "No" Compromise

 

Compromise is one of those words that have been high-jacked and had its meaning changed. We are taught and told that to compromise is a good thing. It means you are reasonable and thoughtful. People who do not compromise are viewed as rigid and nasty people who are greedy and selfish. When you are deciding on what to have for dinner, compromise can be a good thing. When you are looking at morals and what is right, compromise is always wrong and should have no place in the life of the Scouter.

It is interesting that when it comes to moral and ethical issues, those who believe in compromise will try to make people feel guilty and selfish. What they are saying is that to compromise is to agree with them. They do not give in to what is right. Scouts learn that you cannot compromise morals and ethics. You are either doing what is right or doing what is wrong; no middle ground is there. Pastor Jonathan Farwell of Thomas Roads Baptist Church put it right when he said, “It is so important that our churches, our Christian schools and we, as individuals, do not allow non-Christian influences to influence our beliefs.”

“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.”

W. Clement Stone

1902-2002

Businessman

 

Here is a problem I have had with many Scouters who are Christians. Too often, we do not stand fully by our faith because we do not wish to offend anyone. I also do not want to be offensive, but I cannot say that any religious belief is okay. I know that there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. Not my idea but God’s. I believe that all Scouters need to make that clear when confronted with questions of faith. In the words of A.W. Tozer, “We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.” Hard words, but the truth sometimes is. That is why it takes courage to face it.

Never fall for the argument of compromise. You cannot compromise on truth. It stands as it is, or it is not the truth. Standing for what is moral, ethical, and spiritually truthful is not easy. However, for the Scout, there is no other way. You cannot compromise on this one.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 060320 Make Your Map

Standing for Right

 

Who would have thought that we would come to the day that “what is right” would be open to debate? I have seen people in business, the church, education, and even Scouting; they cut the corners of truth and honor to get what they want. Not because what they want is wrong or harmful in any way, but because it is easy and comfortable has become more desired than truth. Oh, they can justify it in a hundred ways, but it is still wrong. As French philosopher Albert Camus said, “Those who lack courage will always find a philosophy to justify it.”

Scouts and Scouters need to understand that standing for what is right is never a matter of perspective. Right is right. Truth, justice, honor, and duty are always the right thing to do. We do not bend things or hide from the truth. Is this easy? No, it is not. Do we all fall short at times? Yes, I am sorry to say we all do. However, the fact that we may fail at times does not mean it is okay. Ronald Reagan once said, “There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.”

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stand right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

Abraham Lincoln

1809-1865

16^th President of the U.S.

 

Scouts should know that to do what they know is morally right will not always be popular, even among those who know to do right. It takes courage to stand alone, and in the effort to do what is right, we all must, at some time, stand-alone. Scouts believe as Andrew Jackson did when he said, “One man with courage is a majority.” You are never alone when you stand for the right. One person can change events by standing their ground and doing what they know is right.

It is easy to stand against significant wrongs in the world. Corporate dishonesty, crime, sexual immorality, and harming others are all easily seen and opposed by those who are courageous and honorable. However, it is the small things that get us. Turning our eyes away from wrong because “it is none of our business,” lying to cover a wrong you have done, and taking things that are not yours just because you can. It takes a courageous person to know that just because “everyone seems to do it,” you cannot. You are a Scout, and cheating and lying do not become you.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 060120 Be Prepared